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network and protocols Flashcards

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1
Q

what is a network?

A

two or more computers connected together with the ability transmit data to each other

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2
Q

what are the 2 main types of networks?

A

local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN)

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3
Q

what is a single computer not connected to any machine called?

A

stand alone

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4
Q

Explain a network?

A

when a computer device is connected to another , either via a cable or wireless

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5
Q

Describe the 3 different network sizes?

A
  1. small business Networks with a handful of devices
  2. Large corporate Networks with thousands of devices
  3. Largest Network in the world - the internet
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6
Q

Explain LAN

A

name given to a network which spreads over a small geographical area or single site

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7
Q

Give one example of a LAN

A

A school

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8
Q

Explain WAN

A

a network which spreads over a large geographical area

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9
Q

What is a protocal

A

set of rules defining how 2 computers communicate with each other they speak the same languages

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10
Q

Advantages of using a Network? (5)

A
  1. Can share files
  2. can share peripherals and connections to other networks such as the internet
  3. can access files from any computer on a Network
  4. servers can control security , software updates and backup data
  5. Communication with other people - via emails and social media
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11
Q

Disadvantages of using a network? (4)

A
  1. Increased security risks

2.Malware and viruses spread very easily between computers

3.if the servers fail the computers connected to it may not work

  1. Computers may run slower if there are a lot of data travelling on the network
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12
Q

Explain why standards are important?

A

standards are vital in the field of computer science
without standards - most devices wouldn’t be able to interact or communicate

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13
Q

What would happen without standards?

A

devices wouldn’t be able to interact or communicate

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14
Q

Explain protocol and standards?

A

Protocols are standard so that all devices have a designated method of communicating with each other regardless of the manufacture

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15
Q

Examples of commonly used protocols?

A

HTTP - used for webpage rendering
TCP/IP - a network protocol used in routing of packets through networks
POP3 and IMAP - mailing protocols used to access email
FTP - used for transmission of files over networks
HTTPS - secure used with sensitive info

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16
Q

TCP what do you know?

A

Transmission Control Protocol - provides error frees transmission between routers

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17
Q

IP what do you know?

A

Internet protocol routes packets across a WAN

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18
Q

how do they work together TCP and IP?

A

protocol stack - the foundations of communications over the internet

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19
Q

What is TCP/IP?

A

TCP = ensures reliable delivery, IP = directs data to the right device.

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20
Q

What is HTTP/HTTPS?

A

HTTP = transfers web pages; HTTPS = encrypted version for security

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21
Q

What is FTP?

A

File Transfer Protocol – transfers files between devices

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22
Q

What is SMTP?

A

protocol for sending emails.

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23
Q

What is POP3/IMAP?

A

Protocols for receiving emails.

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24
Q

What is DNS?

A

Converts website names into IP addresses

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25
What is DHCP?
Automatically gives IP addresses to devices.
26
What is a network?
A group of computers and devices connected to share data and resources.
27
What is a LAN?
Local Area Network – covers a small area like a school, fast and private.
28
What is a WAN?
Wide Area Network – covers large areas like cities or countries, e.g., the internet
29
What is a PAN?
Personal Area Network – very small network for personal devices, e.g., phone + smartwatch.
30
Name 3 network topologies.
Star, Bus, Mesh
31
What is a star topology?
Devices connect to a central hub.
32
What is a bus topology?
Devices connect along a single cable.
33
What is a mesh topology?
Every device connects to every other device.
34
What does a router do?
Directs data between networks (e.g., LAN → Internet).
35
What does a switch do?
Connects devices within a LAN.
36
What is a hub?
Sends data to all devices on a network (old tech).
37
What is a NIC?
Network Interface Card – lets a device connect to a network.
38
Network Interface Card – lets a device connect to a network.
Breaking data into packets that travel separately and reassemble at the destination.
39
Why is packet switching useful?
t’s efficient and if one path fails, packets can take another route.
40
A company wants more customers to be able to find their website on the internet. When customers contact the company, their computers will use a number of protocols such as TCP/IP and HTTP to make connections with other devices over the internet. Explain what a protocol is and why they are important in network communications.
1 mark for: * A set of rules for communication/ transmission/transfer of data between devices
41
why they are important in network communications.
Protocols allow for data to be exchanged in a predictable way/ in the correct format
42
. Describe three different pieces of networking hardware in a client-server network apart from the clients and servers themselves.
1. Router e.g. * Connect networks together * Assign IP address to devices * Examines data packets and forwards them 2.Cable/ Ethernet e.g. * Carries digital data from one device/NIC to the next * Connects wired devices to the network 3.Gateway e.g. * Connects different types of network * Translates protocols from one network to another
43
i. Give three advantages to the business of connecting computers together in a LAN.
Share hardware (e.g. printers) * Share files * Share Internet connection * Centralised security * Log on / access files from any machine on the LAN
44
Explain what is meant by a network protocol.
A set of rules / an agreement * Used to ensure the (proper / successful) transfer of data between devices / used to govern the transmission / communication between device
45
Give the names of two protocols that may be used in a LAN.
HTTP / Hypertext Transfer Protocol * HTTPS / Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure * TCP / Transmission Control Protocol * IP / Internet Protocol
46
Explain why protocol layering is used.
To apply protocols in order / one after the other * To provide independence of layers * Hides details from previous or next layer(s) * Each layer is well defined / does a specific job * Breaks tasks down into manageable units * I * Allows for standards for individual tasks/layers to be developed / for compatibility
47
i. A LAN uses packet switching. Describe one difference between packet switching and circuit switching
In circuit switching dedicated hardware resources are used for each connection o In packet switching hardware is used for multiple different connections.
48
explain why a company would use a peer to peer model
Peer to peer means there isn’t a reliance on the company’s server (1) and its connection to the Internet (1). This means it hasn’t got to invest in lots of hardware and bandwidth (1) and the system is likely to be more fault tolerant (1).
49
What is the peer-to-peer (P2P) model?
A network model where each computer (peer) can act as both a client and a server, sharing resources directly with other peers without a central server.
50
How does a peer-to-peer network work?
Peers connect directly and exchange data or services. Each peer can both request and provide resources.
51
Give examples of peer-to-peer systems.
BitTorrent, early versions of Skype, and blockchain networks like Bitcoin.
52
What are advantages of a peer-to-peer model?
No central server needed Scales well as peers join More resilient and fault-tolerant Can transfer large files quickly
53
What are disadvantages of a peer-to-peer model?
Harder to manage and secure Performance depends on peer availability Can be used for illegal file sharing
54
How does P2P differ from client-server?
Client-server: Centralized, one server controls everything P2P: Decentralized, all peers share equally
55
What is one main advantage of the peer-to-peer (P2P) model?
It doesn’t need a central server, so there’s no single point of failure.
56
Why does the peer-to-peer model scale well?
Because as more peers join, they also share resources, increasing the network’s capacity.
57
How is the peer-to-peer model more resilient?
If one peer goes offline, others can still share data, keeping the network running.
58
Why is the peer-to-peer model good for sharing large files?
Files can be split and downloaded from multiple peers at once, speeding up transfers.
59
What is one major disadvantage of the peer-to-peer model?
It’s harder to manage and secure since there’s no central control.
60
Why can performance vary in a peer-to-peer network?
Because it depends on how many peers are online and their connection speeds.
61
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